Week 6-December 7-13 " If all difficulties were known at the outset of a long journey, most of us would never start out at all." ~ Dan Rather
The article "Why Teach with Project-Based Learning?" defines Project-Based Learning (PBL) as a teaching approach where students use real-world examples to investigate problems or challenges. Students usually work in groups cooperatively to learn a deeper understanding of the curriculum. Students are assessed through projects and products that are created by them to develop a meaning for their learning. PBL usually has a driving question that drives the activities and results in a culminating product reflecting the knowledge learned. In PBL, students have to be strongly motivated through their own choices and decisions. PBL also promotes cross-curriculum learning because it links all subject matter over an extended period of time.
Inquiry Based Learning is a little different than PBL because it focuses on individual independent thinking. Learners build on their pre-existing knowledge and explore other resources to develop a deeper understanding. Inquiry Based Learning uses a question based technique that challenges students to explore, investigate, reflect, and take risks. Just as in PBL, inquiry uses a final product as an assessment that demonstrates the process or journey of the learning.
Technology is a great tool for both models because students can use web-based research tools, electronic databases, and real-time videos to collect their research. Their final products can be made through portfolios, digital art, spreadsheets, multi-media, videos, powerpoints, digital story telling, podcasts and the list goes on and on.
I love PBL because it allows for students to be actively-engaged in their own learning. Most kids are not making one inspired decision throughout their entire 12-year educational experience. We really should be giving kids the opportunity to make real decisions and take real responsibility for what is going on around them. They should actually be voting not just talking about what candidates are in the election! PBL allows students to take responsibility of their environment, the equipment they use, and the learning that is taking place. For kids to learn, the work they do has to not only be real, but has to be connected to something. The following video shows students who are being challenged by PBL: Project Learning Video. Students are involved by creating electric cars, studying ecosystems, building future schools ... real hands-on learning that is not only engaging but making powerful connections. Learning does not have to be reading textbooks, memorizing facts, and writing papers "putting students at the center of the learning is the key so they use the knowledge they are getting".
I strongly feel that testing can do a lot of damage to a person who really wants to take learning further, branch out, and learn more. I love the fact that PBL assesses students through exhibitions which makes the students tell, show, and communicate their learning through all the construction processes. Through this method students have to be accountable for and take control of their own learning.
Questions to ponder:
All kids are always learning, but WHAT are they learning?
Does PBL cover all the standards?
What are the statistics regarding end-of-year testing for PBL?
How do teachers using PBL to evaluate growth?
" If all difficulties were known at the outset of a long journey, most of us would never start out at all." ~ Dan Rather
The article "Why Teach with Project-Based Learning?" defines Project-Based Learning (PBL) as a teaching approach where students use real-world examples to investigate problems or challenges. Students usually work in groups cooperatively to learn a deeper understanding of the curriculum. Students are assessed through projects and products that are created by them to develop a meaning for their learning. PBL usually has a driving question that drives the activities and results in a culminating product reflecting the knowledge learned. In PBL, students have to be strongly motivated through their own choices and decisions. PBL also promotes cross-curriculum learning because it links all subject matter over an extended period of time.
Inquiry Based Learning is a little different than PBL because it focuses on individual independent thinking. Learners build on their pre-existing knowledge and explore other resources to develop a deeper understanding. Inquiry Based Learning uses a question based technique that challenges students to explore, investigate, reflect, and take risks. Just as in PBL, inquiry uses a final product as an assessment that demonstrates the process or journey of the learning.
Technology is a great tool for both models because students can use web-based research tools, electronic databases, and real-time videos to collect their research. Their final products can be made through portfolios, digital art, spreadsheets, multi-media, videos, powerpoints, digital story telling, podcasts and the list goes on and on.
I love PBL because it allows for students to be actively-engaged in their own learning. Most kids are not making one inspired decision throughout their entire 12-year educational experience. We really should be giving kids the opportunity to make real decisions and take real responsibility for what is going on around them. They should actually be voting not just talking about what candidates are in the election! PBL allows students to take responsibility of their environment, the equipment they use, and the learning that is taking place. For kids to learn, the work they do has to not only be real, but has to be connected to something. The following video shows students who are being challenged by PBL: Project Learning Video. Students are involved by creating electric cars, studying ecosystems, building future schools ... real hands-on learning that is not only engaging but making powerful connections. Learning does not have to be reading textbooks, memorizing facts, and writing papers "putting students at the center of the learning is the key so they use the knowledge they are getting".
I strongly feel that testing can do a lot of damage to a person who really wants to take learning further, branch out, and learn more. I love the fact that PBL assesses students through exhibitions which makes the students tell, show, and communicate their learning through all the construction processes. Through this method students have to be accountable for and take control of their own learning.
Student Needs Assessment Final Survey (On-line):
http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB229YDP92N6K
Questions to ponder:
All kids are always learning, but WHAT are they learning?
Does PBL cover all the standards?
What are the statistics regarding end-of-year testing for PBL?
How do teachers using PBL to evaluate growth?
.... and the journey continues...